Which communities DID NOT stand with NOPE?

The following municipalities could be affected by Duke’s Central Corridor Pipeline but chose NOT to intervene legally: Norwood, Fairfax, Montgomery, Silverton and Sharonville. Officials from these municipalities were aware of the pipeline and invited to be a part of the inter jurisdictional opposition effort and chose not to.

Listed below are the elected representatives who were in office at the time that the decision was made NOT TO OPPOSE construction of Duke’s pipeline through densely populated areas via legal intervention. Also included is a list of candidates running against these incumbents in the November 2017 elections.Click on tabs below to see information for each municipality.

NORWOOD

FAIRFAX

MONTGOMERY

SHARONVILLE

SILVERTON

NORWOOD

In office when decision was made NOT to oppose pipeline

Opposing Candidate(s) running for office

Donna Laake(Council President)

Michael Mayfield(Council President)

James Bonsall(Member at Large)

Andrew Clark(Member at Large)

Jason Miller(Member at Large)

Val Nice Orza(Member at Large)

Maddie Regan(Member at Large)

Eric Thompson(Member at Large)

Brandon Blair(Ward 1)

Leslie Stevenson(Ward 1)

Marilyn Hanrahan(Ward 2)

Victor Schneider(Ward 2)

Joseph Sanker(Ward 3)

–

–

John Breedan (Ward 4)

FAIRFAX

In office when decision was made NOT to oppose pipeline

Opposing Candidate(s) running for office

Ginny Cammerisi(Council)

Dan Dockery(Council)

Russell Riffle(Council)

Don Kessel(Council)

MONTGOMERY

In office when decision was made NOT to oppose pipeline

Opposing Candidate(s) running for office

Laith Alfaqih(Council at Large)

Chris Dobroski (Council at Large)

Lynda Roesch(Council at Large)

Ken Suer(Council at Large)

Lee Ann Bissmeyer(Council at Large)

SHARONVILLE

In office when decision was made NOT to oppose pipeline

Opposing Candidate(s) running for office

Vicki Hoppe(Council President)

–

Sue Knight(Member at Large)

Charles Lippert(Member at Large)

Mike Wilson(Member at Large

—

Shayok Dutta(Ward 1)

–

Dave Koch(Ward 2)

–

Paul Schmidt(Ward 3)

–

Robert Tankersley(Ward 4)

–

SILVERTON

In office when decision was made NOT to oppose pipeline

Opposing Candidate(s) running for office

John Smith(Mayor)

–

Shirley Hacket-Austin(Member at Large)

Frank Sylvester(Member at Large)

Idella Thompson(Member at Large

—

Why would these municipalities choose not to intervene? We can only guess…but here is NOPE’s response to some possible reasons:

Reason #1 - Our municipality cannot afford to intervene

NOPE RESPONSE:

The cost for intervention by municipalities can be minimal or very expensive, depending on strategy. For example, if a municipality simply desires to be included in the proceedings, have a deeper understanding of the project with access to information and materials not available to the public and just have a “seat at the table”, cost is minimal. While the cost to hire experts to testify or for expensive attorneys can be quite significant, neither are required to participate in municipal intervention.

Reason #2 - The effect of the pipeline on our municipality is minimal

NOPE RESPONSE

Because this pipeline passes through many adjacent communities, most people who live and work in your municipality may be affected in some way — perhaps the school your children attend or the fields where they play soccer and baseball are located in the “burn zone” or the stores where you shop or places where you work are adjacent to the pipeline.

Not a compelling enough reason? Adjustments to Duke’s plans can be made at any time during the application process. If your municipality is not part of the proceedings, then you will not have a say and will not be be heard if there are design changes or routing decisions that impact your community.

Finally, ratepayers across all communities will ultimately foot the $100+ million bill for this unnecessary infrastructure.

Reason #3 - We won't win

Under the leadership of PG Sittenfeld (City of Cincinnati) and Todd Portune (Hamilton County), a formidable inter jurisdictional opposition force has been created. By creating a united front, this gives all communities the best possible chance to have an impact on what happens with Duke’s pipeline.

Sharing knowledge and resources enables a stronger defense against Duke, and increases the likelihood outcomes that are in the best interest of all our communities.

How to Use This Information

Consider this information when making your voting decisions. NOPE does not endorse specific candidates. However, we encourage everyone to be informed about where candidates stand on issues that are important to them and to vote accordingly.

Hold your officials accountable to the positions they have taken on the pipeline, in the future.

Duke seems to have a corporate culture that sees issues from their own point of view. This can translate to a lack of understanding and empathy of the very people they are supposed to be serving. Note this recent safety issue in Carmel, Indiana. … https://t.co/nxemSedXjI

If you live or work near Conrey and School Rd, near Stewart Elementary School, be aware that Duke is doing pipeline inspection work in the area. (This is the location where the Central Corridor Pipeline would connect to the WW feeder station.)